Fulica americana 169 Jan 14 Eliso, Calif., Campus, Alameda Co., Calif. cauliflower leaves, parsley etc into the pond. By 1 p.m. all except the parsley, cauliflower and beet leaves had been cleaned up. So at about 4:30 p.m. I dumped in another pail full of greens, mostly turnip tops, lettuce and onions. The birds immediately sailed into the food and were frenzy tearing things apart. There seems to be a definite pattern of preferences of the foods offered: Swiss chard rates first, then in order lettuce, especially the white base, veins; onion greens and bulbs; cabbage leaves, but not the veins; apples, potatoe peels, carrot tops, cauliflower leaves, the green parts without the veins; beet tops, and lastly, parsley. On the least lot a cucumber- and some turnip tops and celery were thrown in but I haven't had time to observe the preference ratings. I also noted today that several birds were picking up plant debris and searching underneath for insects etc. That seems to be a behavior common to most or all coots. They seem to eat more grain when an abundant greens supply is present, but grain is secondary to the greens. I have noticed a very definite upsowing in the amount of food